FreeFree account Wall shelf plan
Floating Shelf Plans
A floating shelf is a hollow box that slides over a cleat screwed to the wall, so no bracket shows. Choose the length, depth and thickness; the cleat and its ribs are sized to fit inside. A DIY floating shelf like this costs a fraction of a bought one.
- Default size
- 900 × 200 × 70 mm
- Parts
- 10 pieces · 5 sizes
- Sheets (2440 × 1220 mm (4 × 8 ft))
- 1 carcass
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Build time
- About 2 hours
- Edge band
- 3.5 m
Cut list (default size)
| Part | Qty | Length | Width | Thick. | Board | Edges |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top / bottom | 2 | 900 | 200 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| Front | 1 | 900 | 34 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm | |
| End | 2 | 182 | 34 | 18 | Carcass board 18 mm |
Sizes in millimetres; length runs along the grain. Edges: bold lines are banded.
2 more parts, the sheet layout and the cut order are in the full plan.Resize it to any size, print labels and save it in a project.Sign in free to open it
How it is built
- The cleat and ribs are 1 mm smaller than the inside of the shelf on each side so the box slides on.
- Screw the cleat into studs or solid masonry about every 400 mm.
- The back of the shelf is open: it slides over the ribs and is screwed through the top into them.
Common mistakes
- Fixing the cleat with plastic plugs into plasterboard: it will pull out.
- Making a deep shelf from MDF and loading it with books: keep depth under 250 mm for heavy loads.
Tools you need
- Table saw or track saw
- Drill/driver
- Spirit level
- Stud finder
Frequently asked questions
How much weight can a floating shelf hold?
It depends on the wall: screwed into studs or masonry every 400 mm, a 200 mm deep shelf holds books comfortably; into plasterboard alone, only light decoration.
How deep can a floating shelf be?
Up to about 250 mm for books. Deeper shelves lever hard on the wall and the cleat: keep them for light things.
Can I make it from MDF?
Yes, the box can be MDF and painted. Make the wall cleat and ribs from plywood, which holds the screws better.
Related guides
How to Build Floating ShelvesHow to build floating shelves that hold weight: a hollow box over a hidden cleat, step by step, plus how to install floating shelves into studs, masonry or drywall.How to Build a ShelfHow to build a shelf on a wall, in the garage or in a corner: cleats and brackets into studs, garage shelving, corner shelves and safe spans.How to Finish Plywood EdgesHow to finish plywood edges: iron-on edge banding, solid wood edging, filler for paint, rounding over the layers, and sealing edges for outdoor use.
